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The recent erection of border signposts is a clear provocation, - stated President of the European Council Donald Tusk at a news conference held together with Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.

"I assured the Prime Minister that the European Union remains committed to resolving the conflict and supports Georgia's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The so-called agreement, which was signed between Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia violates Georgia's sovereignty and its territorial integrity and contradicts the principles of international law as well as Russia's obligations at the international arena.

I have just come back from the administrative border region, which I visited together with the EU Monitoring Mission representatives and saw the dividing line. The recent erection of border signposts is an obvious provocation, and it certainly does not contribute to the confidence building or stabilization of the situation,”- said Tusk.

According to him, the EU Monitoring Mission plays a key role in ensuring that the situation does not fall out of the peace format.

"Let me stress that I highly appreciate your and your government's reaction. It is important for all of Europe that the problem is solved with a sense of high responsibility, not that of anxiety. I'm afraid, however, that the only thing the creators behind the provocation counted on was an overwhelming response,”- Tusk said.
According to him, Georgia and the European Union share the same vision of how to create a better future.
"I'm well aware that the Georgian society is very interested in visa-free travel with the EU; it is our common task. Georgia has made pretty good progress and I want to reiterate what I said in Riga. I hope we will complete the process in the near future if this progress continues and if the next technical report is positive.

We also discussed the agenda of reforms. I expressed my hope at the meeting with the Prime Minister that the government of Georgia would engage many people in the process. I stressed that everyone should avoid extreme political influences. Everything should be within the legal framework; it is very important,”- said Donald Tusk.

He said the European Union and Georgia are strong partners, with their common task being to move Georgia and the European Union closer to each other.